On an island for a family retreat, Karin (Harriet Andersson), her brother Minus (Lars Passgård), and her husband Martin (Max von Sydow) welcome back her father David (Gunnar Björnstrand) who is working on his novel. The family realizes that Karin is in danger as she suffers from schizophrenia which is only getting worse…and she doesn’t even know the level of her own condition. When Karin learns the truth, her world will fall apart.

Written and directed by Ingmar Bergman, Through a Glass Darkly (Såsom i en spegel or As in a Mirror) is an award winning Swedish drama. The film won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film with a nomination for Best Original Screenplay. It received a remastered Criterion edition (Criterion #209).

Ways to ruin a vacation…

Movies by Ingmar Bergman are often the epidomy of both classic cinema but also art house cinema. His stories are often layered and character driven instead of story driven and Through a Glass Darkly is a great example of his work.

As mentioned, the movie is primarily character driven. The story is almost non-existence and the film comes off very play like (it actually was later turned into a stage play). Many of the conversations don’t feel very natural, but they work in the context of the film. The distance between the characters (and the island setting) is demonstrated through the odd dialogue and tone. While most of the characters are internalizing, Karin’s schizophrenia has her raging against the odd detached nature of the film.

I did a bad thing

Harriet Andersson rules this picture with her raging performance of a character being torn apart internally. Her costars have the tougher role of repressing emotion and behavior with Gunnar Björnstrand as the cold father and Max von Sydow as the husband trying to put on the strong face. Lars Passgård’s Minus rivals Andersson as another character on the verge and needing more than he is being given by his family.

Bergman also gives great visuals. The island is both isolated and run down. The cabin isn’t in the best shape, but it has experienced life with the characters. The black-and-white film is cold but Andersson does heat up her scenes.

Through a Glass Darkly is a strong film. It was Bergman’s second Best Foreign Film in a row after The Virgin Spring (1960) and is rightly considered a classic. It isn’t easy to watch to digest, but it is worth trying for fans of Bergman or film in general. The film is considered part of a spiritual trilogy with Bergman’s Winter Light and The Silence (both released in 1963).

Follow me on Twitter @JPRoscoe76! Loves all things pop-culture especially if it has a bit of a counter-culture twist. Plays video games (basically from the start when a neighbor brought home an Atari 2600), comic loving (for almost 30 years), and a true critic of movies. Enjoys the art house but also isn't afraid to let in one or two popular movies at the same time.